diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendConfig.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendConfig.py
index 1eb7ee78ca..5c76e02650 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendConfig.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendConfig.py
@@ -406,15 +406,13 @@ class XendConfig(dict):
 
         if self.is_hvm():
             if 'loader' not in self['platform']:
-                log.debug("No loader present")
-                # Old configs may have hvmloder set as PV_kernel param,
-                # so lets migrate them....
-                if self['PV_kernel'] == "/usr/lib/xen/boot/hvmloader":
+                # Old configs may have hvmloader set as PV_kernel param
+                if self.has_key('PV_kernel') and re.search('hvmloader', self['PV_kernel']):
                     self['platform']['loader'] = self['PV_kernel']
-                    log.debug("Loader copied from kernel %s" % str(self['platform']['loader']))
+                    self['PV_kernel'] = ''
                 else:
                     self['platform']['loader'] = "/usr/lib/xen/boot/hvmloader"
-                    log.debug("Loader %s" % str(self['platform']['loader']))
+                log.debug("Loader is %s" % str(self['platform']['loader']))
 
             # Compatibility hack, can go away soon.
             if 'soundhw' not in self['platform'] and \
diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py
index 0519e32a26..4ceb36194f 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ class HVMImageHandler(ImageHandler):
         ret = ImageHandler.parseDeviceModelArgs(self, vmConfig)
         ret = ret + ['-vcpus', str(self.vm.getVCpuCount())]
 
-        if self.kernel and self.kernel != "/usr/lib/xen/boot/hvmloader":
+        if self.kernel:
             log.debug("kernel         = %s", self.kernel)
             ret = ret + ['-kernel', self.kernel]
         if self.ramdisk: